Caring for Your Clock's Case Between Services

While the movement inside your clock needs a professional's hands, there's a lot you can safely do yourself to protect the case and fittings between services — and a few things worth avoiding.

Keep it out of direct sun and away from heating vents

Direct sunlight fades French polish and veneer unevenly over time, and dry heat from vents or fireplaces can shrink timber and loosen joints or veneer. A steady, moderate environment is the best thing you can do for an antique case.

Dust gently, don't spray

A soft, dry microfibre cloth is usually all a case needs. Commercial furniture sprays can contain silicones that interfere with French polish and make future restoration more difficult, so we'd avoid them on anything with an original finish.

Leave brasswork alone unless it's tarnishing badly

A soft, even patina on old brass is usually desirable and part of the clock's character. If you do want to clean brass dials or fittings, use a very soft cloth only — avoid metal polishes, which are abrasive and can strip old lacquer and fine engraved detail.

Mind the humidity

Very dry or very humid conditions both stress timber cases over time. If your home runs a heater or air conditioner heavily, keeping the clock away from direct airflow helps minimise seasonal movement in the case.